Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is entering a major period of growth, with several large projects planned or already underway.
Two New Aviation Facilities Are Coming
Two maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities are expected to begin construction at ECP in early 2027.
IAG Aero Group plans to build a 120,000-square-foot engine maintenance facility at the airport. The company also recently opened a 140,000-square-foot logistics and distribution center in Lynn Haven.
Premier Aviation USA Overhaul Services is also planning a new facility. Its project will include a two-bay hangar designed for narrow-body aircraft.
MRO facilities inspect, maintain, and repair aircraft. Airport officials say the projects could diversify the area’s economy while creating new jobs.
ECP’s Nearly $100 Million Terminal Expansion
The MRO projects are moving forward as ECP works on a major terminal expansion.
The nearly $100 million project recently reached the vertical construction phase. Once completed, the expansion will add three gates and six baggage offices.
The project will also add four baggage claim carousels. Other improvements include an expanded TSA checkpoint, more seating, new escalators and elevators, additional restrooms, and expanded concessions.
The upgrades are designed to help ECP handle continued passenger growth while improving the experience for travelers.
Passenger Numbers Continue to Rise
ECP’s expansion comes during another record-setting year for passenger traffic.
The airport recorded 1,263,735 passengers during the first seven months of 2026. That represents an increase of about 5.5%, or 66,490 passengers, compared with the same period in 2025.
Last year was already ECP’s busiest year on record. The airport handled 1,937,244 passengers in 2025, which was more than 3% higher than its previous record in 2024.
With passenger numbers continuing to climb, the new terminal improvements and aviation facilities could play an important role in ECP’s next stage of growth.
For travelers heading to Panama City Beach and the surrounding Northwest Florida coast, the changes point to an airport preparing for even more activity in the years ahead.
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